Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Ship

Weather kite over the side of the Scotia

Meteorology was one of the major research areas of the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, and it was conducted under the direction of the meteorologist Robert C Mossman. He was one of six scientific staff on the expedition, three of whom had received training at the Ben Nevis Observatory on the summit of the highest mountain in Britain.

Measurements were taken not only in the Antarctic itself, but also on board the Scotia during the outward and inward voyages, and en route at the lighthouse on Cape Pembroke in the Falkland Islands.

One curious aspect of the observations made at sea was that the weather often differed significantly between the two sides of the ship. In one extreme case, a temperature difference of 5C (10F) was noted.